Victor Osimhen (©Getty Images)
Victor Osimhen (©Getty Images)

Galata Lions hunt the Zebras, Osimhen hunts record

Reading Time: 3min | Tue. 17.02.26. | 14:55

The clash between Galatasaray and Juventus will, among other things, be in the spotlight because of the Nigerian striker

Turkish powerhouse Galatasaray and Italian giants Juventus are set to clash in Istanbul on Tuesday evening, kicking off their battle for a spot in the Champions League last 16.

Meeting for the first leg of the playoff, Galatasaray reach the knockout stage for the first time in 12 years, while Juventus arrive with a worrying record of five consecutive knockout defeats. Last month, Galatasaray managed only a 2-0 loss to Manchester City on the final matchday of the group stage, extending a winless streak to four in the Champions League and recording just three victories in 14 European fixtures. Despite this, they scraped through to 20th place.

Since then, the Turkish side has bounced back with four straight wins across all competitions, scoring 15 goals in the process. Captain Mauro Icardi has been in sensational form, netting five goals, including a hat-trick in Friday’s 5-1 demolition of Eyupspor.

Okan Buruk’s squad, three points clear at the top of the Super Lig, are on course to defend their domestic crown, while also seeking to make a breakthrough on Europe’s biggest stage. Tuesday’s fixture will be their seventh Champions League meeting with Juventus, following six prior group stage encounters.

Galatasaray won their most recent clash 1-0 in December 2013 and have yet to be beaten in three away games against the Italian side. Conversely, Juve have struggled in knockout ties, losing five consecutive elimination rounds since their two-legged victory over Atletico Madrid in 2019.

Juventus concluded the Serie A season with a 0-0 draw in Monaco, finishing 13th in the league—seven places above Galatasaray—but they remain determined to make a deeper run in Europe. Under Luciano Spalletti, Juve have won 10 and lost only two of their last 16 European matches, counting spells with Inter Milan, Napoli, and now Turin.

The Bianconeri arrive unbeaten in five matches since Spalletti took charge in November, keeping clean sheets in three of those, but road form remains a weakness. Saturday saw them suffer a 3-2 defeat to Inter in the latest Derby d’Italia, despite rallying after controversially being reduced to 10 men, denting their hopes of a top-four Serie A finish.

Derby d’Italia we crave - crippled Juve fought to the death, but Inter surge toward the top
Derby d’Italia we crave - crippled Juve fought to the death, but Inter surge toward the top

Galatasaray star Victor Osimhen will be looking to rewrite the club’s Champions League history on Tuesday. The Nigerian forward has six goals in six appearances this season and could challenge Burak Yilmaz’s 2012-13 record of eight goals in a single European campaign for the club. Osimhen has scored in three consecutive group stage matches—once against Liverpool, twice against Bodo/Glimt, and a hat-trick against Ajax Amsterdam.

Tactically, Gabriel Sara may reinforce central midfield, allowing Ilkay Gundogan to push forward, especially with Juventus former Mario Lemina serving a suspension. Galatasaray will also miss Metehan Baltaci due to a betting scandal ban, but Leroy Sane has resumed full training and could feature alongside new signing Noa Lang.

Juventus, on the other hand, are without injured forwards Dusan Vlahovic and Arkadiusz Milik, although key midfielder Khephren Thuram is expected to recover from a bone bruise that kept him out of the Derby d’Italia.

tags

UEFA Champions LeagueGalatasarayJuventusVictor Osimhen

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